The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1887-02-16

might quarrel. The habit Of carrying arms,
Manuel" added Lee, as Falkner took pistol
and bowie knife from the halfbreed, "is Of
itself provocative Of violence and inconsistent
with bucolic and pastoral life"
! When Falkner returned he said hurriedly
to his companion: "Do you think u wise,
George, to let those bellbounds loosei Good
Godl l could scarcely let my grip Of his
throat go when thought Of what they were
hunting"
@My dear Ned" said Lee, luxuriously en-.
sconcing himself under the bedclothes again
with slight shiver of delicious warmth. 81
must warn you against allowing the natural
pride of a higher walk to prejudice you
against the general level Of our profession.
Indeed, was quite struck with the Justice Of
Manuel's protest that I was interfering with
certain rude processes Of his own toward re.
suits aimed at by Others"
AGeorzel" interrupted Falkner almost
savagely.
swell admit It's getting rather late In
the evening for pure philosophical inquiry,
and you are tired. Practically, then, 1t ,Das
wise to let them get away before they discov.
cred two things. One, our exact relations
here with these women; and the other, ho,c
many Of us were here. Atpresent they think
We are three or four in possession and with
the consent Of the women.n
~The dogsl"
4They are paying Us the highest compli-
ment they can conceive Of by supposing us
eleverer scoundrels than themselves. You
are very unjust, Ned"
@If they escape and tell their story"
ave shall have the rare pleasure Of know
ing we are better than people believe us.
And now put those boots away somewhere
where we can produce them IL necessary, as
evidence Of Manuel's evening call. At pres
ent we'll keep the thing quiet, and in the
early morning you can find out where they
got in and remove any traces they have left
1t Is no use to frighten the women. There's
no fear Of their returning"
sand II they get awayi"
ave can follow in their tracks"
@If Manuel gives the alarmin
"With his burglarious boots left behind in
the housei Not muchl Good night, Ned
Go to bed"
With these words Lee turned on his side
and quietly resumed his interrupted slumber.
Falkner did not, however, follow this sensible
advice. When he was satisfied that his friend
was sleeping he opened the door softly and
looked out. He did not appear to be listen
ing, for his eyes were fixed upon a small PEN
ell Of light that stole across the passage from
the foot of Kate's door. He watched It until
It suddenly disappeared, when, leaving the
door partly open, he threw himself on his
couch without removing his clothes. The
slight movement awakened the sleeper, who
was beginning to feel the accession Of fever.
He moved restlessly.
George" said Falkner, softly.
@Yes.n
@Where was 1t we passed that old Mission
church on the road one dark night, and saw
the Light burning before the figure Of the
Virgin through the windowIn
There was a moment Of crushing silence.
"Does that mean you're wanting to light the
candle againi"
aNo.n
@Then don't Lie there inventing sacrilegious
conundrums, but go to sleep"
Nevertheless, in the morning his fever was
slightly worse MrA Hale, offering her con-
dolence, said, II know that you have not
been resting well, for even after your friend
met with that mishap in the hall, heard
your voices and Kate says your door was
open all night. You have little fever, too,
/ 1sir, aaAlr1i. -.
George looked curiously at Falimer's pale
FACET was burning.